Update:House Speaker Frank McNulty has assigned the bill to the House Education Committee, whose chairman, Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, has indicated he would support it. However, the bill would go to House Appropriations after that, where it could die before reaching the floor.

Proponents of a bill that would reduce tuition costs for illegal immigrants in Colorado are mustering as much support as they can for the legislation from business groups and noted Republicans.

Senate Bill 15 cleared the Democratic-controlled state Senate on a final vote Monday amid deafening silence from Republicans, who’d previously railed against such legislation for hours. Now, the bill heads to the Republican-led House, where it stands a chance of passage if it ever makes it to the House floor.

But backers of the legislation, which would allow illegal immigrants to pay tuition at state colleges that is higher than in-state rates but lower than out-of-state rates, have been trying to get business groups and supportive Republicans to lean on the House.

In a letter to lawmakers, Colorado Forum, which represents top business leaders in the state, announced its continued support for the bill.

“We understand the concern of some of our colleagues who worry about whether students who are currently undocumented will be able to obtain jobs after they graduate college.”

However, the group said, students armed with college degrees – even if they are illegal immigrants – are still equipped to contribute to society than those without a college education.

Support also came from a group called Colorado Succeeds, a group of business leaders that supports quality education.

“We support this bill based on its alignment with our vision that ‘every student has access to a high performing school and graduates with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to compete in a competitive global economy,'” a letter from the group to lawmakers said.

The group’s board members include Pete Coors, former GOP U.S. Senatorial candidate; Bruce James of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Kent Thiry of DaVita; and Donna Lynne of Kaiser Permanente.

Finally, there is more support from a group of the state’s top Republicans, including Alex Cranberg of Aspect Energy; Dick Monfort, Colorado Rockies co-owner; Bob Martinez, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party; Ron Williams of Gary-Williams Energy; and Pat Hamill of Oakwood Homes. In a letter, the Republicans ask lawmakers to step up for the bill.

“We do no not condone illegal behavior from anyone, but tacking on high fees to tuition is not the appropriate response,” the Republicans say in a letter. “We allow violent in-state criminals to pay lower rates of tuition than we do the children of hard-working undocumented immigrants.

“A college-educated person will be a greater contributor, wherever that person ends up living. And we would hope that person would be more easily able to legally become a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America as a future example of our country’s great tradition of embracing immigrants who go on to do great things.”

I say Bad Form on both Republicans and Democrats. Illegal Aliens are called that for a reason they are ILLEGAL. These people should not be rewarded for breaking AMERICA’s laws, they should be rounded up and deported. Why don’t we just open the prison gates and let everybody out. Heck why ignore just one LAW.
Today is a sad day to be an AMERICAN and a COLORADAN.

ewar

I agree totally with you. This is a sad state of affairs for America and Colorado. We’re just putting up a big welcome sign for illegal aliens to come here. How sad and un-American.

Mjsabin

I oppose the ASSET bill (SB12-015) because it would give illegal immigrants access to taxpayer-subsidized tuition rates. Please send the bill to the State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee, not the Education Committee, so it can be more easily defeated.
Even if illegal-immigrant students get a college degree, they are still unlawfully present and cannot legally obtain employment. Therefore, SB12-15 would recklessly spend taxpayer dollars and foreclose the graduation potential of citizens and legal residents who are turned away.
The bill’s fiscal note falsely claims it would create a net gain of “up to $2.8 million” in tuition dollars. It ignores the fact that these “slots” would have been taken by other students, some paying a higher tuition rate. It also ignores the impact on future K-12 expenditures and other public-benefit costs when more illegal aliens bring their children to Colorado.
SB12-015 proponents are wrong to claim it would help the Colorado economy. At a time of 8 percent unemployment in Colorado, and 15 percent and higher among many minorities, why are we contemplating a bill that will displace more legal workers by attracting cheaper illegal workers?
SB12-015 is an affront to taxpayers and legal students.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4XSQQWS64JLYMBET57UNBGWQNQ Ed

They cannot honestly say they do not condone illegal activity and then support this bill. It promotes illegal activity and will encourage more illegals to follow, from other countries and even illegals from other US states, once they find the tuition breaks are available here. Illegals with college degrees will still not be able to legally work in this state and will be taking college spots that should go to in state residents.

Papakerbs

“We understand the concern of some of our colleagues who worry about whether students who are currently undocumented will be able to obtain jobs after they graduate college.” no kidding…

So now the CU system will take $30000 from hardworking families of undocumented workers and then after all that they are PROHIBITED from getting a job.

Isn’t that fraud? It should be illegal for the university system to lead them on this way. Shameful.

PaulC1958

Of course the next step is must make these SUPER resident illegal aliens citizens; after all we have spent so much money educating them. We have to get some return on our investment don’t we?. All this concern for illegal aliens just ignores the consequences to American citizens who apply to Colorado’s competitive universities. For every SUPPER resident illegal alien admitted to one of these universities, a Colorado resident US citizen will receive a rejection letter.

These politicians and wealthy elites are content to throw the dreams of American citizens under the bus! For what reason? Mr. Hoover that is the question you should be putting to these men? Obtaining an education in Colorado’s competitive universities is a ZERO SUM GAME! For everyone admitted, many are rejected. Why should Colorado’s US citizens be kicked to the curb for an illegal alien?Who are these wealthy elites to determine Colorado policy? What about the desires of the 81% of likely voters who don’t want ANY in-state tuition legislation for illegal aliens? Do the views of a few wealthy elites outweigh what the public wants? Why Mr. Hoover didn’t include what the public wants in this article. Maybe we should add the media who wants this legislation and reports accordingly!This state and this country’s government is suppose to operate as a representative democracy! When 81% of the people want something, and it doesn’t violate some right protected by the US Constitution, should do what the people want; we don’t elect temporary dictators, kings or czars who do whatever they want over the objections of the people they represent. That IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY! If that is what we’ve really become, then even God can’t help us.

Anonymous

Openings at colleges and universities is not unlimited. When illegal residents are admitted, a citizen is denied an chance to get a college degree.

Patriot760@gmail.com

What has happened to our country ? Al we ever get our country back to where it use to be in line with the constitution ? Bill of rights ? Principles on which it was formed ?

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.